Reflections on 3 years of marriage

A love note in honor of our anniversary

3 years is - in the grand scheme of what I hope our marriage to become - nothing. It’s what I referred to earlier this week as, “a toddler marriage!”

And yet I find myself looking at it, at us, with the same reverence I imagine parents feel when they look at their children. I see all of the ways that (so quickly!) we’ve already shifted and changed. I see boundless potential of the places we will go, and the people we will one day become. I sense, with each day of unlearning “the rules” and creating a life of our own - that this is just the beginning of a marvelous “adulthood.”

One full of growing pains that are met with equal parts refusal and resistance to give up. One that is radically rooted in an unreasonable amount of love. One that (I hope) does not lose the awe, wonder, and magic of childhood in the process of our own unfolding.

Sometimes we look at old photos of ourselves and proclaim to each other, “babies!!!” And that initial time remains precious in our hearts. But lately, my favorite times have been our most recent times. The constant uncovering of layers we’ve never seen before. The surprise at how marriage promises to be “boring,” but how our adventurous and peaceful paradox is still my absolute favorite place to be.

The other day - we marveled at a few new gray hairs that we’ve each sprouted. Told each other, “I can’t wait until you get old.” If we’re lucky - we’ll get to see this young toddler grow into wrinkles and saggy skin. We’ll get to celebrate the salt-and-pepper badges that are only granted with the gift of age.

I’m keeping my eye on that future, while reminding myself to stay deeply present. To never forget to marvel at the way we are, right now.

Thank you for modeling the kind of love I’ve never known or seen before.

For always nudging me (us) - to outgrow.